ABOARD THE USS NATOMA BAY:
VMB-612's aircraft were transported aboard the escort carrier, USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62).
Note that the aircraft at this point had their upper turrets in place and
that the overall sea-blue finish has already been applied.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps

SAIPAN:
Eight of VMB-612's aircraft on the flight line
at Kagman Field on Saipan.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps

ENGINE MAINTENANCE:
An engine in the process of being replaced on
a VMB-612's aircraft.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps

DITCHED PBJ:
The PBJ (BuNo 35201) piloted by First
Lieutenant Samuel Balthrop was ditched on 16 November 1944 after running out
of fuel. Four of the six-man crew escaped and was rescued by a
destroyer nine hours later. First Lieutenant James W. Bostick and Master Technical Sergeant Thomas V. Little were lost,
probably sinking with their aircraft.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps

MB-9 ATTACKS: Devoid of its upper turret and armed with 5-inch rockets, MB-9 peels off to
attack a target on the coast of Japan.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps

IWO JIMA AIRSTRIP:
This aerial view was taken on May 26, 1945 looking over Iwo Jima's South Airfield (formerly
Motoyama #1) with Mount Suribachi in the distance. It was from
this airstrip which VMB-612 conducted patrol and
anti-shipping missions.

Photograph: U.S. Marine Corps

READY FOR ACTION:
A VMB-612 PBJ-1J prepares for start-up with
two 11.75-inch Tiny Tim rockets hung on the external rack over the
bomb-bay.